Former teacher of the year sentenced in sex crime
BURLINGTON, Vt. --A former Vermont teacher of the year was sentenced Monday to two to 12 years in prison for repeatedly kissing a boy while tutoring him between 2003 and 2005.
Before the sentence was imposed, Jeffrey Buehner, 68, of Winooski, who had taught in the Burlington's elementary and middle schools for 30 years before becoming a tutor, apologized to the victim and the victim's family and said he was ashamed of his "bad behaviors."
"I've broken the sacred trust put in me," he said.
Buehner's lawyer sought a suspended sentence, probation and treatment, saying Buehner had no criminal history, had admitted responsibility for the offense, had a low risk to re-offend and could be treated, based on a psychologist's evaluation.
"He admits his guilt, he's accepting responsibility, he's remorseful," said defense attorney Bradley Stetler.
But the state argued that although he had no criminal history, that did not mean Buehner's actions were not criminal.
Prosecutor Susan Hardin said Buehner was a pedophile who admitted being attracted to preteen boys and had kissed others.
"His most egregious choice was choosing to be a teacher," she said.
In the tutoring sessions with the boy, "he was teaching him how to French kiss," and how not to resist because he would hold his head in his hands, Hardin said. The boy learned how to distrust adults, became reclusive and had no friends, she said.
Before imposing the sentence, the judge read from letters in support and against Buehner.
The victim's family said they wanted him to go to jail to feel the fear that their son felt every time he went to a tutor, Leavitt said.
Some former students described him as loyal, dependable, hard working, kind, dedicated, a highly successful teacher and generous mentor, the judge said.
"Many said I would not be the way I am if he had not been my teacher," she said.
One letter writer said Buehner was not a predator. Leavitt disagreed.
"But you are," she said. "You admitted to grooming children for sexual purposes."
Police arrested Buehner in February 2007 after the child reported the kissing. Police said they also found photos of nude boys in the ex-teacher's apartment.
In a plea deal in March, Buehner pleaded guilty to lewd and lascivious conduct and prosecutors dismissed five misdemeanor charges of possession of child pornography. 